Eep!
So, in the next issue of SDF, Lost Jigsaw Pieces, I did a little bit where the Cartoon Me rants about how it's a little bit terrifying to work in the comic book industry when so many comic book companies, run by far better men than I, have bit the dust.
Almost prophetically, over at www.comicbookresources.com there's an article about fledging publisher Speakeasy Comics crashing and burning. Now, I'm sure if you're not into comics, then you've never heard of Speakeasy, but if you are, then you've probably heard a little bit about this little company. Speakeasy was notable for a couple of reasons: 1) They published a large amount of creator owned work, using a method (don't ask me for details, I've slept since then...) that was considered somewhat controversial by the industry at large, and 2) They had an uncanny skill at getting Press Coverage. I mean, I've never actually SEEN a Speakeasy Comic Book, but I sure knew alot about the company.
And now they're dead, and apparently quite buried.
Now, normally, I'd be having a little bit of a freak out. After all, these guys were a known commodity. I'm not a known commodity. Hell, I can count on two hands the number of people that know TORC Press exists. How can I survive when these guys couldn't?
Except, I'm not freaking out. Because I read the article. And according to the Article, Speakeasy made the ONE MISTAKE THAT 90% OF ALL DEAD COMPANIES MAKE. They had a deal lined up with a potential investor that woulda given them a fat wad of working capital. They started spending a bunch of money on stuff before the deal went through. The deal didn't happen, and Boom! the poor schmucks were left holding the bag. Over and over again. Hell, there's even a slight variation on it, which is a company ASSUMES they will make X amount of money, they start spending like they've already made X amount of money, then when they don't make X amount of money, they're screwed.
I gotta admit, one advantage to being a poor man's comic book publisher, I'm smart enough not to live beyond my means.
Almost prophetically, over at www.comicbookresources.com there's an article about fledging publisher Speakeasy Comics crashing and burning. Now, I'm sure if you're not into comics, then you've never heard of Speakeasy, but if you are, then you've probably heard a little bit about this little company. Speakeasy was notable for a couple of reasons: 1) They published a large amount of creator owned work, using a method (don't ask me for details, I've slept since then...) that was considered somewhat controversial by the industry at large, and 2) They had an uncanny skill at getting Press Coverage. I mean, I've never actually SEEN a Speakeasy Comic Book, but I sure knew alot about the company.
And now they're dead, and apparently quite buried.
Now, normally, I'd be having a little bit of a freak out. After all, these guys were a known commodity. I'm not a known commodity. Hell, I can count on two hands the number of people that know TORC Press exists. How can I survive when these guys couldn't?
Except, I'm not freaking out. Because I read the article. And according to the Article, Speakeasy made the ONE MISTAKE THAT 90% OF ALL DEAD COMPANIES MAKE. They had a deal lined up with a potential investor that woulda given them a fat wad of working capital. They started spending a bunch of money on stuff before the deal went through. The deal didn't happen, and Boom! the poor schmucks were left holding the bag. Over and over again. Hell, there's even a slight variation on it, which is a company ASSUMES they will make X amount of money, they start spending like they've already made X amount of money, then when they don't make X amount of money, they're screwed.
I gotta admit, one advantage to being a poor man's comic book publisher, I'm smart enough not to live beyond my means.
1 Comments:
Doesn't just happen to comic book companies. It's purty much the State of the Union, and most of it's people. Personal spending has outstripped income by at least 4% or so since we graduated....
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